Effect of Palm Trees Shading on Growth, productivity and nutritive value of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Under the Environmental Conditions of AL-Qassim Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Abstract in English

This investigation was carried out at the experimental Station of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, King Saud University, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, during the growing season 2001/2002. The objectives of the research were to study and evaluate the productivity, morphological and physiological behavior of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants grown under palm trees environment. The results proved the important effects of palm trees shading on alfalfa growth, development and productivity. Significant differences were observed between the control treatment and the two other treatments. The results also showed a significant increase in fresh and dry weight and quality characteristics except for fat percentage. This percentage increased gradually from treatment 1, which was located under palm trees, to treatment 2, which was located between palm trees to the control treatment, which was located away from palm trees, where there was no shading. The morphological and physiological characteristics did not significantly change in spite of the existed changes among their means.

References used

Al-Khateeb, A. A, and Deena, H. M. A., 2002. The date palm in Saudi Arabia. Cultivation, Production and Processing. Ministry of Agriculture and Water. Riyadh
Al-Moshileh, A. M. and M. I. Motawei., 2001. Effect of Light Intensity on Growth and Yield of Potato Under Central Saudi Arabia Conditions, Adv. Agric. Res. Vol. 6 (1), 2001. pp 87-93
A. O. A. C, 1990. Official methods of analysis (15th Ed). Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Arlington, VA

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